Bench clamp



March .14, 1944. c. H. SCHUELER I 2,344,054

BENCH CLAMP Filed May '7, 1942 '2 Sheets-Sheet l "m 2 \h. Q .5

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BENCH CLAMP Filed May 7, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 In uentor Clarence /'/enr:y S'ckweler Patented Mar. 14, 1944 UNITED 'STAT ES PATENT: OFFICE BENCH CLAMP Clarence Henry Schueler, Portsmouth, N. H. Application May 7, 1942, Serial-No. 442,062 2 Claims. (01. 1 44- 507) The present invention relates to'new and useful improvements in bench clamps, particularly for carpenter work, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising novel means for firmly holding on edge,- boards of different thicknesses within a given range.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide, in a bench clamp of the type comprising a base and coactings'tationary and slidable jaws, unique means for securing the latter in position on said base.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a bench clamp of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly eflicient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of a bench clamp constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation, looking at one side of the device.

Figure 3 is an elevational view, looking at the other side of the device.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the slidable jaw.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of an end portion of the slidable jaw retainer.

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation of an end portion of the slidable jaw retainer.

Figure 9 is a view in end elevation of the slidable jaw retainer.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises an elongated base I of suitable metal, said base, as illustrated to advantage in Figure 1 of the drawings, being shaped to provide longitudinal and diagonal edges 2 and 3, respectively. .The base I has formed therein a plurality of countersunk openings 4 which accommodate securing elements for firmly fastening said base on a suitable support.

Rising from the longitudinal edge 2 of the base I is an integral flange constituting a stationary jaw 5. The stationary jaw 5 extends from the rear end of the base I- to a point in spaced relation to the forward end thereof.

The base- I-further includes an integral rib 5 on the diagonal marginal portion 3 of said base. Rising from the inner portion of the rib 6 is an integral tongue constituting what may be considered a track I. The portions 8 and I also extend from the rear end of the base I to a point in'spaced relation to the forward end thereof.

-A jaw 8 of suitable material is slidably mounted on the base I for coaction with the stationary jaw 5. The jaws 5 and 8 are adapted to receive on edge therebetween an end portion of a board.

9. The slidable jaw 8 includes a longitudinal inner face In which parallels the jaw 5 in spaced, opposed relation thereto and has formed thereon, adjacent the forward end of said slidable jaw, a vertical shoulder II which the work 8 is adapted to abut.

The slidable jaw 8 further comprises a diagonal outer edge I2 which parallels the edge 3 of the base I. The diagonal marginal portion of the slidable jaw 8 is undercut to accommodate the rib 6 and has formed therein a groove I3 for the reception of the tongue or track I. As also shown to advantage in Figure 5 of the drawings, the slidable jaw 8 is hollowed out, as at I4, for lightness and economy.

Secured by screws I5 to the diagonal edge 3 of the base I and rising therefrom is a metallic strip I8 constituting a. guide for retaining the slidable jaw 8 on the track I. On the upper edge of the guide I6 is an inturned flange H which extends overthe adjacent marginal portion of the slidable jaw 8. A stop I8 depends from the rear end of the flange I1. The diagonal marginal portion I2 of the slidable jaw 8 includes a beveled rear portion I9 which accommodates the stop I8 and which also provides a shoulder 28 for engagement with said stop.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, one end portion of the work, as at 9, is placed on edge on the base I between the jaws 5 and 8 and engaged with the shoulder II. The work is now pushed forwardly in the clamp and carries with it the slidable jaw 8. As the slidable jaw 8 is thus moved forwardly it also is caused to move laterally toward the stationary jaw 5. In this manner the work is firmly clamped on edge between the jaws 5 and 8. To release the work it is only necessary to tap it lightly in the opposite direction. Movement of the slidable jaw 8 toward open or retracted position is positively limited by engagement of the shoulder 20 with the stop 18.

It is believed that the many advantages of a bench clamp constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A bench clamp comprising a. substantially triangular fiat plate constituting a work supporting and parts assembling base, said plate bein provided along one longitudinal edge with an upstanding guide and abutment constituting a relatively fixed work guiding and assembling jaw, a fixed rib mounted along an opposed longitudinal edge on said base plate, said rib being provided along its inner longitudinal edge with a tongue, the tongue and rib coacting to form a track, a movable jaw of wedge-shaped configuration slidable on said plate having a notch in one edge constituting a work engaging shoulder and provided along one longitudinal edge and in its underside with an undercut groove, said groove providing a track-way to receive said fixed rib and serving to slidably interconnect the movable jaw with the base, one top edge of said movable jaw being chamfered to provide a clearance bevel and a stop element intermediate the longitudinal dimensions of the movable jaw, a plate-like strip removably fastened along one edge of the base plate and rising in parallelism to said edge, said strip being provided with an inturned longitudinally extending flange overlying the adjacent edge portion of the movable jaw to assemble the parts, a stop element at one end of the strip and flange coacting with the bevel and stop shoulder on said movable jaw.

22. As a component part of a bench clamp assemblage, a substantially triangular base plate provided along one edge with an upstanding abutment constituting a work guide and retention jaw, said plate being provided along an opposed longitudinal edge with an upstanding rib of a vertical dimension less than the abutment, said rib having a riser along its inner longitudinal edge constituting a tongue, the rib and tongue together functioning as a track, a strip-lik plate removably fastened to said rib and risin at right angles from the plate to an elevation considerably above the rib and tongue, said strip-like plate having a flange overlying the rib and tongue, there being an additional down bent flange at one endof the first named flange coacting with the strip-like plate to function as a retention element.

CLARENCE HENRY SCHUELER. 

